The wilder the flower, the sweeter the honey.

Music

Last year, I couldn’t attend the ATKV Solms-Delta Oesfees because I was in Platbos planting trees. I was miffed that I was going to miss it, but the tree-planting left me with major warm fuzzies, and since human cloning had not yet taken off (still hasn’t), I made my peace with it. But firmly resolved to go to the next one.

So, the resolve was adhered to, and I went two weekends ago on 25 March. In short, I really wish that everyone could attend this festival! It was that amazing! Easily one of the best experiences I’ve had in a long time and think the person who started it and ran with it needs to get a medal. Or hugs from everyone who attended. Continue reading →

The best way to attend a gig is to be prepared. But sometimes, as you may well have experienced yourself, no matter what you do you are not entirely prepared. And that can be a good thing.

The few times that I had heard The Betsie Beers play live a few times last year, I really enjoyed what I saw and heard. So, I quietly hoped they would continue doing what they were doing regardless, and not fade away as so often happens when artists are faced with a fickle market.

While I enjoy listening to most kinds of music (as long as it’s good), one genre I almost actively avoid is Afrikaans music, when possible. Don’t ask me why, but perhaps it has to do with the vast amounts of crap out there in my other mother tongue. It’s almost like I just can’t bear taking the chance of stumbling upon any of it on say, YouTube, while trying to listen to the good stuff. I simply can’t expose my ears to it.

It’s raining today, again, after a very dry winter last year and summer not bringing much relief either. I love that it’s raining! We desperately need it in the Western Cape, heck, the whole of South Africa!

This morning, once at the office, I started working at quite a gallop, which means I usually put on my headphones in order not to be distracted. Fat load of good that did me.

On came this song below, reminding me … yep, we’re just flesh and bone. And if you take a moment to think about it, that’s not a bad thing, even a good thing. It means we’ll make something of this life, because we have to. Despite the challenges, such as imminent drought. And sometimes that drought is physical and external, where the rainfall is low, and sometimes it’s inside of us. Where the courage, resilience and love runs low.

But again, that’s not a bad thing either. Enjoy the dust for what it is. See it and learn all you can about it while you can. Because soon, the rain will come, when it must.

Late on Valentine’s afternoon, I got together with two of my friends to see and hear Albert Frost perform solo at Jordan Wine Estate, to eat a delicious gourmet burger and drink some award-winning wine on their picnic lawn. It turned out to be an excellent idea. Not that I was expecting any of it to be rubbish, mind you! It had rained earlier in the day, but thankfully the clouds had abated enough to allow us to spread our picnic blankets on the grass. It was a bit of a balancing act as the lawn slopes down towards the dam from the makeshift stage, but I decided to see it as free core muscle exercise. With a glass of wine in hand that I suppose I could utilise as a dumpy (builders …) level. Wine, such a wonderful beverage!